9 "Hated" Video Games You Should Play In 2020

4. Splinter Cell: Blacklist

Okay, back to all-out recommendations I genuinely love.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist is easily the best Splinter Cell after Chaos Theory, and it's not even close. Yes, Michael Ironside is nowhere to be seen and his loss is felt, but Blacklist excels by pivoting away from cold, political thriller subject matter, and into high-octane, 24 or Jack Ryan territory.

Thankfully, unlike Splinter Cell: Conviction, the emphasis is entirely on stealth with you all suited up and given plenty gadgets to play with.

Conviction's "Mark & Execute" mechanic means for every enemy downed with a stealth kill, you can auto-target a handful more. Quickly you'll be dismantling rooms of guards in a blur, speeding up the franchise's signature gameplay and giving you the perfect way to play with an action mindset, alongside careful, tactical stealth planning.

I personally think the story is great fun too, even if it's not as multifaceted as anything from the original run.

Essentially, Blacklist is the Chaos Theory sequel fans always talk about wanting, albeit without the pipes of Mr. Ironside. If you can get past that, it's perfect.